Month: June 2019

Lighting can Make or Break Your Event

Posted on by J3551CA

Everyone has experienced the disappointment and frustration of viewing a special event, only to discover upon playback that the once-in-a-lifetime event is too dark, there are distracting shadows, or glare. Proper lighting techniques and a thorough understanding of how illumination works is essential.

You want lighting that warms the environment and emulates natural illumination. The lighting sets the tone and mood for any event, whether it’s a wedding, seminar, trade show, or political rally. Always do a visual sweep of the venue you’ll be lighting. That examination will tell you where dark corners and shaded areas will occur and the type of lighting that’s already available.

It’s also essential as a lighting director to know if existing lights can be lowered or if any special illuminating features are already in place. That walk-through will also provide you with the lay of the land in regard to where the subjects and/or guests will be.

It’s important to talk with the company that will be doing the filming. The type of film and equipment used will have a bearing on the lighting and layout. Depending on the event, you may need spotlights or lower level illumination at various points throughout to create the correct ambiance.

Illumination has the power to reinforce décor, theme and mood whether you’re lighting a sporting event, a podcast, product launch, or a corporate gathering. While it’s important to highlight the principals of the event, you also need to plan for audience comfort. Illumination that blinds viewers won’t be appreciated.

Ultimately, no one will remember the lighting after the event – unless it was done poorly. What they will recall is how beautiful the bride looked or how the event made them feel. In many instances, the audience won’t even be able to put their finger on exactly what it was about an event that stood out for them because everything was perfect – but the lighting director will know.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Lighting Lingo

Posted on by J3551CA

Every industry has its own set of terminology and language. Those in other professions would be at a loss to explain what a Fresnel, gaffer or gobo is in the lighting lingo common within the TV and movie industry. The following provides a sample of the terminology used by industry pros when illuminating venues and events around the world.

  • Gaffer – The person that oversees operation or luminaire equipment.
  • Luminaire – An electric light unit.
  • Gobo – This is a general term for an opaque item that’s placed in front of a luminaire to block all or a portion of the beam.
  • Color temp – Rated on the Kelvin scale, it’s the color appearance (warm or cold) of different types of lighting, from candlelight and tungsten lights to electronic flash and a clear, sunlit day.
  • Fresnel – It’s a flat lens constructed in multiple concentric rings to reduce the loss definition and used to adjust the focus from spotlight to floodlight.
  • Card – A circuit board.
  • Saturation – The amount of white light – from low to high levels – that affect the overall color.
  • Graduated scrim – A round and framed metal screen, it increases or decreases density from one side of a frame to the other.
  • Barn doors – It’s a device with adjustable flaps, attached to the front of a luminaire to shape or block the beam as needed.
  • Egg crate – A rectangular device with partitions attached to luminaires to reduce glare.
  • Accent light – Lighting to highlight a person in a scene through the intensity of illumination or color.
  • Key light – The primary source of light used to establish the mood in a scene.
  • Fill lights – Supplemental lighting used to fill in shadows.
  • Back light – Illumination to artfully separate the actor or subject from the background.
  • Bleed through – An effect created by the intensity of illumination.
  • Cold mirror – This is a mirror that transmits infrared radiation while blocking light.
  • Snoot – A metal tube in various sizes that’s mounted to luminaires to control light spillage.

There are hundreds of other lighting lingo terms used within the illumination industry that every member of a professional lighting crew will know and use. It may seem confusing at first, but it’s the language of lighting that every professional will know.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

LED Versatility

Posted on by J3551CA

Illumination professionals in the TV and movie industry no longer need to rely on old-fashioned lighting that’s bulky, costly, and emits levels of heat that’s uncomfortable to actors. LED lights have become the standard in film and TV due to the pioneering and innovation of Frank Gatto Lighting.

LED illumination has changed modern cinematography due to its highly versatile nature and has rendered gels almost obsolete. Where LED really shines is the ability to light more with less. LEDs now have RGB capabilities making it a simple matter of turning a dial to create any desired color for faster and more efficient shooting.

The use of LED lights is especially welcome for actors. Traditional illumination emitted enormous amounts of heat. LED lighting emits far less heat and can handle even small illumination changes with ease. It’s an especially important function for actors that must perform under the lights during multiple takes.

The efficiency of LEDs is amply demonstrated in the indie film industry. They’re less expensive to operate and save significantly on costs, no matter whether it’s a small budget production or a blockbuster film. LED panels can perform multiple jobs equally well and can be combined with a variety of lighting equipment for illumination in films, TV, and the theatre.

A bank of LEDs is easier to move and set up. It’s easier on the crew and the correct configuration takes less time to establish. That means shooting can proceed apace without wasting time or resources. They can be used to equally good effect indoors and outdoors, are durable, and extremely portable.

LED illumination has already changed the way sets are lit around the world. They’re eco-friendly and use far less power than lighting of the past. LED illumination allows even small filmmakers and studios on a budget to produce high-quality productions without sacrificing clarity or image quality.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.

            

Lighting Production Success from Coast to Coast

Posted on by J3551CA

One of the keys to successfully illuminating any venue is having the equipment needed ready to go and use upon arrival at the destination. To accomplish that, lighting directors need equipment that’s ready to travel. It needs to be compact, lightweight, durable and adjustable to meet the variety of requirements that may be encountered.

Every lighting director has their favorite equipment, so there’s no one-size-fits-all go-bag. Each project will have specific requirements dependent upon variables such as the locale and budget, whether it’s a documentary in the desert or a newsfeed from a mountaintop. Each illumination expert needs to experiment and assemble a kit that works best for them, but there are a few things that will be on the list of must-have items.

One of the greatest innovations for modern lighting is LED lights. They require considerably less space and emit more illumination with less equipment. They’re more economical to operate and lightweight, enabling them to be moved and positioned in less time and with fewer people.

Air travel isn’t cheap. Add to that the cost of transporting production equipment and the cost can quickly skyrocket. The gear that’s taken will need to be easily maneuverable so it won’t cost a fortune to move. Above all, ensure it’s packed safely and securely. Smart lighting specialists travel light, but take everything they think they might need for multiple contingencies.

The crew responsible for operating all the equipment is equally important. It makes the entire process go quicker and smoother if it’s people that the illumination master has worked with before. It’s even better if they’ve worked in the types of conditions in which shooting will be conducted. They’ll know what to expect and have workarounds if needed to alleviate any difficulties that arise.

Production success is dependent upon the lighting director being able to plan ahead and utilize equipment that meets the greatest variety of needs in multiple conditions. It needs to be light, portable and utilize modern methods for savings and ease of use.

If you have the need for lighting equipment and design far away from home base, Frank Gatto and Associates can help.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds.  If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com 

We can be found on Social Media at the following links.